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singles, each one an unwritten classic. Choose one, visualizing the coloured bag and label. Take it out, put it on a
turntable, lower the stylus onto the grooves, and listen to the crackle of vinyl and the low-level rumble of the
turntable. Keep your mind passive and allow the music to start. You may get a song from your memory. You may
get something new – and even if it's only a few bars, it could be enough to start a new song.
The first of the four key terms that we are going to examine is harmony, and this means discussing chords.
Section 2—
Chord Dictionary Part 1
ABBREVIATIONSRoman numerals I VII
indicate chordrelationships within a key.
m maj minormajor
Song sections:br bridge
c ch codachorus
hk i introhook
pch v versepre-chorus
Most of the chord-sequence examplesare standardized for comparison
intoFamous songs referred to in C or A minor. C major
orthe key of the original recordings A minor are not necessarily in.In this section, we will look at the function of harmony in songs. Harmony is supplied by chords, and learning
chords is how most people start on the guitar. One thing that makes the guitar popular as an accompaniment
instrument is that it is relatively easy to learn some chord shapes, strum them and sing. Many professional
performers have got by for years with little more than this.
The basic chords presented here will give you all the chords you need to start writing songs. Section nine comes later
and deals with more complex chords in part two of the Chord Dictionary.
What is a chord?
A simple major or minor chord comprises three notes and is called a triad.
The Four Types of Triad